Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has made a decision on the goalkeeper position. It surprised many that the German coach maintained confidence in Inaki Pena after Wojciech Szczesny was initially brought in as an emergency situation, and his U-turn on the matter has surprised even more.
Pena was kept as number one after Szczesny arrived, with Flick publicly saying that the Valencian goalkeeper had given them no reason to make a change, and until he made a mistake, that would remain the status quo. That was also what he had told Pena, saying that if he maintains his form, he would keep his place.
But after handing Szczesny his first appearances in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup, the 34-year-old kept his place in the Champions League and La Liga against Benfica and Valencia this week.
“We haven't given up on TEK yet [Szczesny] Yet he is important. I understand for Inaki Pena that the situation is not the best, but we decided to start Szczesny tonight after an internal meeting,” Flick told Diario as.
The same outlet goes on to say that Flick has not spoken to Pena about the decision, who is hurt by the decision. He could reconsider his future at the club, and would be third-choice once Marc-Andre ter Stegen returns. The decision was made by Flick, who prefers Szczesny's experience in a young team, despite goalkeeping coach Jose Ramon de la Fuente being in favor of continuing with Pena between the sticks.
The move will be particularly limiting for Pena, given the same mistakes he shouldn't have been forgiven with Szczesny. In three of his five appearances, Szczesny has committed significant errors, and against Valencia was only saved from conceding a second penalty by a VAR decision that won the game back. Send against Real Madrid, he also gave away a penalty and brought out Alejandro Balde that led to a Benfica goal last week.
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